LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A Kaua'i jury has returned a $1.8 million civil lawsuit verdict in favor of a woman badly injured by a speeding motorist nearly four years ago in Hanalei.

Lisa Wilson was a passenger on a motorcycle June 25, 2005, when it was rear-ended by defendant Byron Say's vehicle.

Say failed to stop, and ran over Wilson, dragging her, said Teresa Tico, Wilson's attorney.

Tico said Wednesday's ruling "vindicated Lisa Wilson," whose injuries left her permanently disfigured.

Wilson's injuries included two collapsed lungs, 20 rib fractures, two broken shoulders, a broken leg, lacerated spleen and a head injury, Tico said.

"Justice was not served when (the) criminal case ended with (a) plea to petty misdemeanor — driving under the influence of intoxicants," Tico said.

The case attracted media attention when the prosecuting attorney later filed felony negligent injury charges against Say, Tico said. Those charges were dismissed because of laws against double jeopardy, which prohibit multiple prosecutions for the same crime.

Defendant Say, who was represented by Honolulu attorney Robert A. Mash, did not testify in the jury trial before Chief Circuit Judge Randall Valenciano that began Monday and ended Wednesday, Tico said.

The jury award included compensation for past income loss and general damages, Tico said.

Wilson was a high school dropout who had worked at jobs such as waitressing and housecleaning before the accident, Tico said. During her recovery and despite her chronic pain, Wilson went back to school, earned the equivalent of a high school degree and now works as a literacy tutor.

"She's a remarkable person," Tico said. "Lisa Wilson was thrown a bad card in life, but she overcame it to be a contributing member of the community."